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Cleary Gottlieb Makes Two Big Hires in Washington

Posted by Brian Baxter

Juan Morillo, the former head of Clifford Chance's U.S. litigation and dispute resolution practice, is joining Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton along with David Becker, a former Cleary partner who stepped down as general counsel of the SEC in February.

Morillo spoke to The Am Law Daily in June 2009 after he was appointed head of Clifford Chance's U.S. litigation practice following the departure of predecessor Mark Kirsch for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. At the time, we reported Morillo's book of business was between $12 million to $15 million. At Cleary, Morillo joins the firm's global litigation practice and will represent clients in government investigations and civil litigation.

Clifford Chance spokesman Mike Kachel said the firm wished Morillo "all the best" in his move to Cleary. David DiBari, a Clifford Chance partner of 22 years, has been elected the firm's new Americas practice leader for litigation and dispute resolution. DiBari is the managing partner of Clifford Chance's Washington office.

"[DiBari] received strong support from his fellow partners and is the natural choice for the role given his management experience and his position on the leadership teams for the Americas and the global litigation practice," Kachel said in a statement to The Am Law Daily. "We couldn't have a better person at the helm than David."